The world’s most aristocratic equine population owes its fame to the Andalusian horse, along with the Arab and, much later, the Thoroughbred. Its history goes back long before the birth of Christ – to 200 BC, at the time of the Roman Conquests in and around Spain. Roman writers praised the native Spanish horses’ qualities, which were recognised by Spain’s Moorish conquerors, who naturally cross-bred them with their own Arab and Berber breeds.
This is the horse that became “the very cornerstone of classical riding.” The features that made this horse of pure Spanish breed so highly sought after, are its balletic elegance, high head carriage, short arched neck, silky flowing mane, compact body and wonderful proportions. The manes of mares are usually clipped in Spain and only the stallions are allowed to display the full splendour of theirs. About 50% of Andalusians are usually grey or white, the rest being bay or black. Chestnuts or piebalds are excluded from the stud book.
These attributes are combined with a fiery intelligence, affectionate and docile temperament. It is considered to be the ideal haute école parade and carriage horse. It is perhaps somewhat surprising, therefore, that its presence outside Spain is not more widespread today. We offer different type of horseback riding experiences, we can organise visits to private horse breeding farms in Andalucia and we can also arrange to attend the two most amazing equestrian shows that take place in Jerez and Córdoba:
